The swimming and bathing ban at Exmouth has now been lifted from today, (August, 19) following a pollution issue earlier in the week.

Exmouth and Budleigh beach was closed on Tuesday, (August, 16), after pollution in the sea following the heavy rain over that weekend.

Budleigh re-opened on Wednesday. A temporary alert was raised for Exmouth Beach in relation to a storm water overflow on Monday.

Between 15 May and 30 September EDDC receives daily ‘pollution forecast’ from the Environment Agency for all the registered bathing waters (Exmouth, Budleigh, Ladram, Sidmouth Jacobs Ladder, Sidmouth Town, Beer, and Seaton).

These forecasts are based on a range of factors including rain over the various river catchments, wind, known pollution events etc.

This is a forecast of potential pollution risk not a report of a specific incident.

These forecasts are also sent straight to the electronic signs which are located at all our beaches. During an alert of this type, it is mandatory requirement that bathing is closed, and signs displayed.

Because these alerts look at the whole river catchment affecting the bathing water, they are more frequent at Exmouth and Budleigh since the Exe and Otter catchments are much larger than the Sid or the Axe.

A spokesman for South West Water said: "A precautionary notice was raised on Monday at Exmouth Beach and has now been removed as there were no further discharges.”

East Devon District Council has confirmed that the ban on swimming at Exmouth beach has also been lifted.

More information on the Environment Agency website here